Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Read the Entire Psalm
Ever Present – Reflect for a moment on God’s ever presence. He is completely everywhere all the time. While you were sleeping. He was there. As you prepare for the day, He is there. As you go to work or continue your day at home, He is there. He is there and wants to be a help. Turn to Him throughout the day. Praise Him for His ever-present nature.
Scripture Reading
John 12:20-36 – New International Version
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanks to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for Isaac and Suzanne. Pray for God’s guidance and encouragement as they serve overseas.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
Jesus was fully God and fully human. To be biblically faithful, we must affirm both. Only the God-man, the Lord Jesus Christ can save us. Why? He needed to be fully human to represent us and sympathize with our weakness. He needed to be fully divine to satisfy God’s wrath and secure for us righteousness and peace. Because Jesus was fully human, he had a human nature like you and me. He experienced the full range of human emotions. He got angry (though, importantly, he did not sin). He walked the earth in a body that grew tired and sore. And in times of intense trial, he experienced deep distress. How does reflecting on Jesus as fully human help you connect with him as your savior?